Chapter 39: The Decision to Have a Baby
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
In 1974, Evelyn Hugo turns thirty-six and celebrates at the Palace, one of the most extravagant restaurants in the world. She dines with her husband Harry Cameron, her former lover and best friend Celia St. James, and Celia’s husband John Braverman. The group enjoys champagne, Harry drinks several Manhattans, and Celia gives a heartfelt toast. After dinner, as Celia and John hail a cab, Harry helps Evelyn with her jacket and raises the subject of having a baby. Evelyn admits she has been thinking about it too. They agree that, given her age, now is the time. Both want a biological child to avoid any implication that they adopted to hide something. They decide to discuss the plan with Celia and John, since the decision affects all four of them. Harry jokingly admits a small physical attraction to Evelyn, but they reaffirm their partnership with a handshake.
Key Events
- Evelyn’s thirty-sixth birthday dinner at the Palace with Harry, Celia, and John.
- Celia postpones a film shoot to be there and offers a moving toast.
- Harry asks Evelyn directly about having a baby; Evelyn confirms she is ready.
- They both insist on a biological child rather than adoption.
- They agree to consult Celia and John before proceeding.
- Harry and Evelyn seal their agreement with a handshake, acknowledging the businesslike yet affectionate nature of their marriage.
Character Development
Evelyn Hugo reveals a new layer of vulnerability and desire for family. She has spent years staring at babies in strollers and cherishing moments holding friends' children. Despite knowing motherhood will damage her Hollywood career, she chooses to pursue it. This shows her willingness to sacrifice public success for private fulfillment.
Harry Cameron deepens his role from a strategic marriage partner into a genuine co-parent. He initiates the baby conversation and supports Evelyn’s wish for a biological child. His teasing admission of a “small part” that has wanted to bed her highlights the odd but loving balance of their relationship—both a business arrangement and a deep friendship.
Celia St. James and John Braverman appear in the background, but their presence underscores that Evelyn and Harry’s decision is not theirs alone. The couple must consider how a child will affect their unusual family structure.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Family and Chosen Bonds
The dinner group already functions as a family; a biological child would formalize that unit. Evelyn and Harry’s choice to include Celia and John in the conversation emphasizes that their family is built on love, not just blood.
Sacrifice and Public Image
Evelyn acknowledges that becoming a mother will shift her from “a woman to a mother,” a change that Hollywood treats as mutually exclusive. She proceeds anyway, prioritizing personal desire over career.
Extravagance as Identity
The Palace restaurant symbolizes Evelyn’s earlier carefree spending. She later reflects on this with mild mortification, showing her growing awareness of responsibility—a theme that will reappear as she prepares for motherhood.
The Handshake
Evelyn and Harry’s handshake is a recurring motif. It represents their marriage as a deal built on trust and mutual respect, now extended to include raising a child together.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 39 is a turning point in Evelyn’s life. It marks the moment she decides to pursue motherhood, a choice that will reshape her relationships, career, and public image. The conversation with Harry solidifies him as her most important partner, not just legally but emotionally. This decision also sets up future conflicts: how will Celia and John react? How will Evelyn manage pregnancy while her career is at its peak? The chapter forces Evelyn to weigh what she truly values, and her choice to move forward reveals her growth from a young starlet obsessed with fame to a woman ready to build a family on her own terms.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Evelyn insist on a biological child instead of adopting?
Evelyn wants a biological child because she fears that adoption would fuel gossip that she and Harry have something to hide. She believes a biological child will protect their private life from public scrutiny. -
What does the dinner at the Palace reveal about Evelyn’s character at age thirty-six?
The dinner shows that Evelyn still enjoys extravagance and public attention, but she also begins to question her past wastefulness. Her reflection on the cost of the evening suggests a shift toward more thoughtful living, which aligns with her desire for a child. -
How does Harry and Evelyn’s handshake reinforce the nature of their marriage?
The handshake is a signature gesture of their relationship, blending businesslike formality with genuine affection. It emphasizes that their marriage is a mutual agreement based on honesty and shared goals, even while including a joking acknowledgment of a small physical attraction.